Most of the direct spending in the $787 billion stimulus bill passed in
February 2009 was targeted at infrastructure projects that could begin
immediately and provide a quick injection of jobs into a reeling
economy. But the legislation also provided more than $50 billion in
grants to deploy energy and information technologies, and that money
will take longer to spend. While the ultimate economic value of the
investment is yet to be determined (see "Cash for Infrastructure"),
the map above shows that the money is at last beginning to flow. The
bar shows how much money was authorized, how much of it has been awarded
to specific projects, and how much has been paid out. While just $381
million of the $7.2 billion authorized to bring broadband to rural areas
had been spent as of June 30, for example, nearly $2.5 billion has been
awarded, and the rest should be spoken for by September. The Department
of Energy, which controls $32.7 billion for clean energy, has also
picked up the pace, awarding hundreds of grants to projects around the
country. To read the full, original article click on this link: Technology Review: Taking Stock of the Stimulus
Author: Matt Mahoney
